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EnviRN News – April 28, 2020

Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
Earth Day is past,
Now what do we do?

Ok. That is the best I can do for National Poetry Month. But it does raise the appropriate question – what now? What do I do for the environmental movement in my personal life, my professional live, and my policy life? Take a walk thru one of the ANHE work groups – Food Sustainability.

Personal

My vegan daughter has been paying too much attention to “the right thing to do”. My weekly shopping assignment was easier when it was almond milk, but now alas I must look for other liquids. I search for pea milk, oat milk, soy milk, not yet hemp milk, but I am sure it is coming. We know the ‘personal’ changes probably have little affect on the world’s carbon problem, but struggling with personal changes helps us appreciate professional and policy work. Go to Alternative Milk. Who knew that pea milk is a source of protein? If you want to know the foot print of diet staples, take a look at – Food Foot Print. Yes, this is the UK, but you get the point – beans and tofu yes, beef and lamb not so much.

Professional

Our practice is fertile (sigh) ground for food sustainability actions. Join the Green Bag Lunch webinar series. Note that the next one is May 4th, and past ones are archived. Make changes where you are working, what you are teaching, what you are studenting, and in your professional organizations. Regarding the latter, some professional organizations’ annual conferences (sigh) have converted to vegetarian foods, if yours has not, shake a finger at them.

Policy

There are over 500,000 elected officials in the United States. Every single one can be asked a question about their protection of the environment. Don’t let them skate by with response about the mechanics of running their organization, i.e. executive functions. They also have legislative functions – regulation development, ordinances, laws, and so on. Take a look again at the ANHE Food Sustainability page. You have spent time on the Drawdown site and know the importance of reducing food waste. Take a look at the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Podcasts

I hope you are listening to the Podcasts. Most recently Peggy Berry. Go to: Podcasts. You know how to download the app and listen.

Earth Day

Like me your emails probably went from 150 per day to 175 per day to capture all the Earth Day opportunities. Barb Sattler sent this one that makes the point – Vote for Health.

Conferences and Webinars and Such

Many conferences have been canceled, rescheduled, or gone virtual. If you have one we should list, please let us know, (TE)